Invitation to the Nov. 18 Brandeis Creative Arts Award ceremony

Nov. 17, 2015

Dear Members of the Brandeis Community,

I invite you to join me tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 18, when we present the storied Brandeis Creative Arts Award to critically acclaimed soprano Tony Arnold during a ceremony at the Rose Art Museum at 2 p.m.

Arnold, with her unsurpassed vocal artistry and powerful stage presence, sets the gold standard in today’s contemporary music performance. As part of the award ceremony, she will perform a series of musical pieces selected in response to the artwork on display at the Rose by Roy Lichtenstein and Lisa Yuskavage.

The Brandeis Creative Arts Award was established in 1956 and has been presented to scores of the most distinguished artists, performers and writers of the 20th century, including Tennessee Williams, George Balanchine, Leonard Bernstein, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Arthur Miller. In 1995, it evolved into The Poses Institute of the Arts at Brandeis University, which honored extraordinary artistic achievement by awarding annual residencies to artists in diverse disciplines.

The Brandeis Division of Creative Arts revitalized the award this year after a two-decade hiatus to build on its celebrated past and underscore the university’s continuing commitment to the arts. In addition to receiving a medal and a cash award, the recipients will participate in a unique yearlong residency, where they will interact with students and faculty in classrooms and studios across campus.

I hope you can take time out of your busy schedules tomorrow to join me and other members of our community at what promises to be a memorable — and truly engaging — experience.